Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has officially suspended its four-week-old industrial action across public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, directing all teachers to resume official duties on Thursday, July 2, 2026, following fresh security commitments from the state government and renewed engagements with stakeholders. The decision, announced in a statement jointly signed by the Oyo State NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the State Secretary, Comrade Olukayode Salami, brings an end to the strike that was declared in protest against the abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The industrial action, which had kept hundreds of thousands of students out of classrooms for nearly a month, was suspended after the union's national leadership reviewed the prevailing security situation and considered appeals from the Oyo State Government and other critical stakeholders. According to the statement, the decision was reached in the collective interest of teachers, learners, and the general public, following assurances from the government that sustained efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the abducted victims and strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities across the state.
The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area—Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The attackers killed one teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, plunging the state into a security crisis that forced the closure of schools and triggered the teachers' strike. The victims have now spent over six weeks in captivity, and their continued absence has been a source of anguish for families and a rallying point for the union's demands for improved security.
In the statement announcing the suspension, the union disclosed that the state government had made a series of far-reaching commitments aimed at preventing future attacks and addressing the root causes of insecurity in the state. Among the key pledges are intensified rescue operations for the abducted teachers and learners, the establishment of a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to conduct regular patrols of vulnerable schools and access routes, continuous engagement with affected families, and the provision of psychosocial support and rehabilitation for rescued victims. The government also committed to the payment of gratuities and other entitlements to the families of deceased teachers, a move that has been long demanded by the union.
Other commitments outlined in the statement include the strengthening of the Safe School Initiative through public sensitisation and early warning systems, the improvement of emergency response mechanisms, the dismantling of criminal hideouts, the upgrading of school infrastructure, and the tackling of illegal mining and open grazing in forest reserves, which have been identified as contributing factors to insecurity in parts of the state. The government also pledged to enhance community intelligence gathering, ensure the speedy prosecution of criminal suspects, improve the welfare of security personnel, and deploy technology to bolster school security.
The union commended its members for their discipline, solidarity, and unwavering compliance throughout the period of the industrial action, while also expressing appreciation for the support of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON). “We sincerely appreciate all our members, ANCOPSS, AOPSHON, and other stakeholders for their discipline, solidarity, and unwavering support during this period. Your cooperation has once again demonstrated our collective commitment to the welfare and safety of teachers and learners,” the statement read.
While directing teachers to return to the classrooms, the union urged members to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and promptly report any security threats within their schools and communities to the appropriate authorities. “We urge all teachers to remain vigilant, law-abiding and promptly report any suspicious activities or security threats within their schools and communities to the relevant authorities. Together, we can build safer schools for our children and educators,” the statement added. The union reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and security of teachers, stressing that it would continue engaging the government until all outstanding concerns regarding the safety of teachers and learners are fully addressed. “Our resolve to safeguard the lives, welfare and dignity of teachers remains unwavering. We shall continue constructive engagement with the government until every concern relating to the security of our members and learners is adequately addressed,” the union stated.
The suspension of the strike has been welcomed by parents, students, and education stakeholders, who have expressed relief that academic activities will finally resume after weeks of uncertainty. However, the union has made it clear that it will be closely monitoring the government's implementation of its commitments, warning that any failure to deliver on the promises could reignite industrial action. For now, Oyo's classrooms are set to reopen, and teachers are expected to return to their posts on Thursday, July 2, 2026, as the state begins the long and difficult process of restoring normalcy to its education sector.
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